What percentage of babies with EIF have Down syndrome?
The results showed existence of EIF in 3.8% of all fetuses. The prevalence of down syndrome among the population studied was 0.4% with all having EIF.
Is EIF linked to Down syndrome?
In a recent meta-analysis, Sotiriadis et al. reported that EIF is seen in approximately 25–30% of fetuses with Down syndrome, but only 4% of fetuses (95% confidence interval (CI) 2–8%) with normal karyotypes, resulting in a 5–7-fold increased risk of Down syndrome11.
Is EIF something to worry about?
But echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) is almost never something to worry about. It shows up as a bright spot on the heart in imaging, and it’s thought to be a microcalcification on the heart muscle. EIF occurs in as many as 5 percent of all pregnancies.
Can echogenic focus go away?
They are usually seen in the muscle wall of the ventricles. An echogenic intracardiac focus is found in 1 out of every 20 to 30 pregnancies. It does not affect the health of your baby or how his or her heart develops. The spots usually do not go away before your baby is born.
How common is EIF on ultrasound?
This is commonly referred to as an EIF (echogenic intracardiac focus) or echogenic foci (plural). This is a common finding on ultrasounds, seen in about 3 percent to 5 percent of pregnancies. An EIF does not generally impact the overall health of the baby or the development of his or her heart.
Can you tell if baby has Downs at 20 week scan?
Structural abnormalities that may be identified on the 20-week scan The 20-week scan can detect structural defects including spinal defects, cleft lip/palate, significant clubfeet, body wall abnormalities, major urinary abnormalities, and major heart defects, and a variety of subtle markers that may indicate Down …
What happens if baby is born with EIF?
An echogenic focus on its own poses no health risk to the fetus, and when the baby is born, there are no risks to their health or cardiac functioning as a result of an EIF. It is considered a variation of normal heart anatomy and is not associated with any short- or long-term health problems.
Does EIF go away after birth?
Will the EIF go away? Most EIF seen in the middle of the pregnancy will not go away before delivery. Since they do not cause problems for the baby, there is no special concern if they are still visible at a later time. For this reason, no ultrasound follow-up is needed to watch for changes in the EIF.
What causes EIF in pregnancy?
An echogenic intracardiac focus (or EIF) is a small bright spot seen on a developing baby’s heart during an ultrasound. The cause of EIF is unknown, but the condition is generally harmless. EIF is considered a normal pregnancy variation, but prenatal screening tests may be desirable to test for any abnormalities.